Business News of Sunday, 22 February 2004

Source: GNA

Ghana Post undergoes radical changes

Mr Nicholas Dery, Deputy Manager Operations and Development of the Ghana Post (GP), on Saturday said the Service was undertaking radical re-structuring and re-capitalisation, with a view to modernising service delivery.

He said appropriate technology had been procured to automate and network all counters in the country to facilitate easy transactions and efficient services.

Mr Dery was delivering an address at the Fourth Volta Regional Annual Get-Together and Farewell party for management and staff of the Service in Ho.

He said a total of 13 Post Offices have been earmarked for automation throughout the country this year while assistance was being sought to network others within three years.

Mr Dery said Management was convinced that these developments would enhance its courier, parcel, letters, financial and postal services and strengthen its revenue base.

He announced that Postal Service Banking would soon be re-introduced throughout the country as an alternative means of banking to rural dwellers and pensioners.

Mr Dery said as part of its diversification programme, the Service is working assiduously at introducing an electronic system of down loading telephone top-up cards to terminals at its counters for sale to customers and thereby, reduce the inconveniences associated with the physical handling of such cards.

The Deputy Manager said its door-to-door expansion and service delivery programme which had taken-off in Accra would be replicated throughout the country, when the system stabilised.

On payment of dividends to government, Mr Dery said the Service had not defaulted in such payment since 1998 and the situation continued to improve with increases in its revenue performance.

He announced that the Company's annual budget had been approved by the Board and entreated all members of staff to ensure that their benchmarks were achieved towards maximising profits.

Mr Dery commended the Volta Regional Directorate for instituting a scheme to award and honour hard work and excellence hoping that other regions would emulate the example.

Mr Kwadwo Sarfo, General Manager Planning and Development of GP urged members of staff to broaden their horizon, change attitude towards duty and make positive gains and eschew the "pull-him-down syndrome". He exhorted them to help in turning around the fortunes of the Company in the ensuing years.

Mr Sylvester K. Ansrodjah, Acting Volta Regional Head of GP announced that the Company intends to rejuvenate the defunct Postal Agencies in towns and appealed to such communities to embrace the programme which could generate employment.

He commended the staff for their resolve to persevere towards improving on customer satisfaction and profit maximisation in line with the Company's mission and vision.

About 25 serving and four retired officers and Post Offices in the region were rewarded for distinguishing themselves. Mawuli Post in the Ho District was adjudged the best Post Office followed by Jasikan Post with Aflao Post coming third. The best staff in Audit, Security, Finance and Administration Transport and EMS in the region, were also rewarded.